My wife keeps a running Scrabble game with our older son. They do it electronically on their cell phones. It is a nice way to stay in close contact and it keeps him from forgetting he has parents who love him very much. The old adage that absence makes the heart grow fonder isn’t always true. Sometimes out of sight is out of mind.
It’s a good idea to keep one’s children aware of how much they are loved no matter how old they are. Being loved is essential to our health and vitality. Our heavenly Father is very aware of this and continually sends us gifts to remind us of how much He cares for us. Those gifts come in many ways. We only have to be aware of the things around us. When we are paying attention we receive all kinds of serendipities.
The onus is also on us to check in with Him. Even if it is a short “Good Morning, Lord” when we wake up or a “Good Night, Father” as we hit the pillow. Granted more contact than that would be most advantageous to the relationship but it’s something. It keeps us in contact and available for the bigger, longer experiences He wants to share with us. Reading His mail to us really helps – you know – those letters called Matthew, Luke, and John. They are filled with news straight from His heart to ours.
Maybe just as my wife keeps a game going with our son, we could keep a game going with our Father. It could be called, “Count the Serendipities.” See if we can find more than yesterday. I promise you, they are there.
Written by Roger Bothwell on December 29, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org